Parks and Recreation
WhileParks and Recreationseason 1 almost kill the situation comedy before it could start out in earnest , season 2 of the serial salvaged the Pawnee - centric show by changing one vital aspect of Leslie Knope ’s character . The unrelentingly cheery , endlessly affirmative Leslie Knope is the heart ofParks and Recreation . While the show ’s ensemble cast made stars of everyone from Chris Pratt to Aubrey Plaza to Nick Offerman , Amy Poehler ’s inspired operation as Leslie gaveParks and Recreationan emotional core group for all its zany sitcom hijinks to revolve around . However , this was not always the causa . InParks and Recreationseason 1 , Leslie ’s character was more clueless , ditzy and less socially awkward . This resulted inParks and Recreationfeeling too much like a dead ringer ofThe Office , with a administration department take the place of Dunder Mifflin ’s titular workplace and Leslie acting as a gender - flipped take on Michael Scott . InParks and Recreationseason 1 , the trick seems to be that Leslie ’s endless enthusiasm is n’t enough to make up for her blatant incompetency , which was never mean to be her role in the show harmonise to its creators . associate : Parks & Rec Theory : The Real Reason Ben Created Ice Town
Parks & Rec Stopped Leslie Being A Michael Scott Clone In Season 2
Sitcom legend Michael Schur admitted that Leslie ’s character needed revamping afterParks and Recreationseason 1 . Although parallels between Michael Scott and Leslie Knope remained throughout , they become much less obvious fromParks and Recreationseason 2onward . This allowed Leslie to mature into a more distinct character , with time of year 2 leaning into the idea that Leslie was majuscule at her occupation despite her unequaled queerness . Schur enjoin that the show ’s Jehovah always want Leslie to be fundamentally competent despite her eccentricities , a contrast with Michael Scott made obvious inParks and Recreationseason 2 , episode 12 , " Christmas Scandal . "
In this Christmas special , Leslie is concisely unable to get to work for the department due to a bizarre , overblown non - scandal involving a local pol . Ron anticipate to depute her daily agenda among the section , and even with Anne and Andy ’s assistance , the group ca n’t hope to do all the work that Leslie does on an average weekday . This characterization remain in space until theend ofParks and Recreation , illustrating the essential dispute between Michael Scott and Leslie . While both reference are lovable despite their cringe - get ineptitude , Leslie loves her work whereas Michael sleep together his carbon monoxide gas - proletarian .
Why Leslie Knope & Michael Scott Are Still Similar (Even After S2)
Even after season 2 , there are time when Leslie and Michael ’s characterizations do overlap . For good example , Michael ’s willingness to go above and beyond for his employee ( even when it is wildly inappropriate ) is mirror in Leslie ’s perpetual desperation to taste and assist out the staff of her section ( even when they would opt that she will them alone ) . Meanwhile , whileLeslie and Ben ’s romanceand Michael ’s endeavour to court Holly Flax rise that both characters were destined to end up happy , Leslie and Michael both face serious uphill fight in the region of romance . Thus , The Officehero influenced Leslie , even ifParks and Recreationseason 2 ensured she was n’t his exact double .
More : Parks & Rec : The Finale ’s Flashforwards Are Fake possibility Explained
